No doubt, cloud computing brings with it the promise of choice:choice in how you source and deliver services to drive out cost, in how you ramp up delivery time, and in how you achieve higher quality. But choice typically comes with complexity, raising questions like:

How do I know which services are right for cloud and which are not?

What is the appropriate mix of private cloud and public cloud, and how does it change over time?

What is the most effective way to build a private cloud for today and tomorrow?

How secure are my cloud services?

How do I manage my service portfolio to see that I get the benefits I expected?

How do I build a flexible environment that can adjust rapidly to changing business requirements?

The best cloud solutions are designed to help you and your IT organization become the builder and broker of services – maintaining control, building value, and leveraging the power of private and public clouds. Most enterprises are creating a hybrid service portfolio comprising services from many sources – traditional, private cloud, and public cloud services.

It’s critical that you align the right model to the right service. And to be able to do that, you have to build, consume, and manage appropriate cloud services in an effective and secure way. We believe that every CIO should take four key actions associated with enterprise cloud computing. Wherever you are in the transition to cloud-based solutions and services, a clear focus on these actions will help frame your decision-making.

Consume new cloud services so that they can quickly and easily make the connections that improve data flow and service quality while reducing the capital outlay in comparison with alternative sourcing options.

Manage and secure the entire service portfolio to effectively govern across a flexible, hybrid delivery model. Integrated processes and technologies let you match each service to the best source according to its needs. The result is an enterprise that dynamically leverages technology to meet changing market demands.

Transform legacy IT operational models to adapt to a service-centric, hybrid delivery model. Both applications and infrastructure services take on new, shared characteristics that can help drive new efficiency and opportunity.

Still unsure how cloud will benefit your organization, post a question in the comments section and I will get back to you with the answers.

Author : Karan Kirpalani

Karan represents a new generation of Product Marketing Managers that can cover core product development & management activities as well as product marketing activities. To his customers & colleagues, he is the Go-to-guy for consultations.